Author: betsygoldman

The Venice Art Walk & Auctions is always a great event for a worthy cause and, to make it even more special, supporters are now offered a chance to see the Google campus. “Venice Family Clinic’s Venice Art Walk & Auctions, like the art world itself, is ever-changing and continues to grow,” says Venice Family Clinic Chief Executive Officer Liz Forer. “This year, we have added Google as a partner – officially ushering us into the digital space. Hosting the Venice Art Walk & Auctions at Google Los Angeles will afford participants a rare opportunity to visit the legendary ‘Binoculars Building,’ designed by architect Frank Gehry.” “A curated collection of sculpture, painting, photography and more will give a fresh voice to our 34-year-old event,” Forer continued. “Venice icons such as Chuck Arnoldi, Larry Bell, Billy Al Bengston, Laddie John Dill, Joe Goode, Ed Moses and Ed Ruscha will be featured alongside talent like Francesca Gabbiani, Jeff Bridges, Shepard Fairey, Patrick Fraser and Analia Saban. The accompanying Art & Architecture tours and exclusive Angel events provide once-in-a-lifetime access to artists and architects and make this a must-see annual outing.” The Venice Family Clinic, the largest free clinic in the country, provides quality health care to people in need – low-income men, women, children, teens and seniors who lack private health insurance. Last year, with the support of 2,000 volunteers, including...

On May 5, the 19th Annual Venice Garden & Home Tour will highlight the serene residential neighborhood east of Lincoln Boulevard, a contrast to the bustling beachside. The lots, some in excess of 10,000 square feet, once home to farming fields are perfect for gardening. Such is the property owned by Milton Wolpin. What was a yard of crab grass and a few trees has, over the past 10 years, been transformed into an 80 percent edible garden with more than 40 fruit trees, fruiting vines, and several vegetable beds. Wolpin’s partner, Marlena Ross, a 1995 graduate of the Los Angeles County Master Gardener Training Program, has developed the garden section by section. She estimates an average of 15 hours per week is needed to keep the plants thriving. Most of the new gardens in Venice are in carefully orchestrated settings. Ross’ garden developed without an overall plan and it’s been a work in progress. Found and reused materials are seen throughout the garden. It’s easy to meander on bricks and pavers that wind past flowers, vegetables, and fruit trees to seating areas with double swings, picnic tables and chairs. Strawberry beds are made from wood scraps. Whimsical elements are interspersed – black and colored bowling balls, wind chimes, rocks, bird houses, bird baths and lots of animal figurines – rabbits, pigs, frogs, bears and ducks. Many years ago,...

Lucille Cappas, head librarian at the Venice Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library, has always loved books and reading. “You can use your imagination to learn about the world, to learn about people and places,” she says. “I used to loan my books out to other kids in the neighborhood, so it sort of came natural to me to become a librarian.” She said she was also fortunate to have had a mentor – a librarian at the El Marino Library in Culver City, which is no longer in existence. Cappas was born in Los Angeles, has lived in Venice from a very young age and graduated from Notre Dame High School. Her two children are Venice High School graduates, and she has spoken in favor of the school based on their experiences and those of other students whom she has worked with. The school has also recognized the efforts of Cappas. Every year the Venice High School Alumni Association honors alumni who have made a difference with the school and their communities. In 2001, the selection of honorees included one who was both an exception to the rule and an exceptional community person. The alumni association chose to recognize the contribution Cappas made, and continued to make, to its school. It was their way of showing gratitude for her work with the school for 18 years. The librarian has...

Lucille Cappas, head librarian at the Venice Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library, has always loved books and reading. “You can use your imagination to learn about the world, to learn about people and places,” she says. “I used to loan my books out to other kids in the neighborhood, so it sort of came natural to me to become a librarian.” She said she was also fortunate to have had a mentor – a librarian at the El Marino Library in Culver City, which is no longer in existence. Cappas was born in Los Angeles, has lived in Venice from a very young age and graduated from Notre Dame High School. Her two children are Venice High School graduates, and she has spoken in favor of the school based on their experiences and those of other students whom she has worked with. The school has also recognized the efforts of Cappas. Every year the Venice High School Alumni Association honors alumni who have made a difference with the school and their communities. In 2001, the selection of honorees included one who was both an exception to the rule and an exceptional community person. The alumni association chose to recognize the contribution Cappas made, and continued to make, to its school. It was their way of showing gratitude for her work with the school for 18 years. The librarian has...

Was it karma or just a stroke of luck that Penny Thrasher recently did a website search for her friend Dennis Jakob who lived in Venice in the 1960s? The search brought her to my Web site through an article written by Paul Tanck, a contributor to my monthly online newsletter. Many people, residents and non-residents alike, have always been fascinated with the history of Venice. While there is much documentation up to the time of annexation to the city of Los Angeles, there is little available after that except for cultural trends such as rollerskating, bodybuilding and the artistic community. Several months ago Kendall Rainwater, a Long Beach resident who has been coming to Venice since 1959, sent an email to the Venice Historical Society requesting background information on the Beat poets during the 1950s and on Jim Morrison, lead singer and lyricist of The Doors. Morrison was one of the most iconic frontmen in rock music history, during the 60s. Rainwater mentioned some urban legends regarding where Morrison lived in Venice, writing that he discovered five places in his investigation, but wanted to know if his findings were correct. The Venice Historical Society sent his message to Tanck, an avid Venice researcher. The question about Morrison aroused his curiosity and his contribution for my August newsletter was entitled “Where in Venice Beach is Jim Morrison’s house?” Tanck...